[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-barcelona-announces-unconventional-pre-season-tour-kenya-morocco-and-a":43,"news-related-barcelona-announces-unconventional-pre-season-tour-kenya-morocco-and-a-en":77,"news-related-match-barcelona-announces-unconventional-pre-season-tour-kenya-morocco-and-a-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":28,"hostCities":39},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",4,21,"upcoming",[40,41,42],"Mexico City","Monterrey","Zapopan",{"article":44},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":45,"category":46,"excerpt":47,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":48,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":52,"slug":53,"sourceName":54,"sourceURL":55,"teamId":56,"teamName":57,"teamIds":58,"teamNames":67,"title":76},"FC Barcelona has unveiled a pre-season itinerary that deviates from its typical globe-trotting summer tours, opting for a more focused schedule that includes a training camp in England and friendly matches in Africa. The Catalan giants will spend two weeks in the United Kingdom, culminating in a friendly match against EFL Championship side Birmingham City. The exact date for this encounter remains unconfirmed.\n\nThis move represents a strategic shift for the club. In previous years, Barcelona's summers have been defined by high-profile, commercial tours spanning multiple continents. However, the club has cited the upcoming FIFA World Cup as a primary reason for this more modest approach, stating that a larger tour is 'technically and commercially not feasible' this year. The condensed schedule allows for a more traditional, focused training regimen while still fulfilling international engagement obligations.\n\nThe choice of Birmingham City as a friendly opponent is particularly noteworthy. While not a Premier League heavyweight, the Championship club carries significant historical weight and is currently co-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady. This connection adds a layer of cross-sport intrigue and commercial appeal to the fixture. For Birmingham, hosting a team of Barcelona's stature at St. Andrew's represents a major pre-season coup and a chance to test themselves against elite European opposition.\n\nThe history between these two clubs runs deeper than many modern fans might realize. Their rivalry dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, when they met five times in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. This tournament, often seen as the precursor to the UEFA Cup and later the Europa League, was a prestigious competition for clubs from cities hosting major trade fairs. These historical encounters add a layer of nostalgic significance to the upcoming friendly, reviving a dormant chapter in both clubs' histories.\n\nBeyond the UK, Barcelona's itinerary includes visits to Kenya and Morocco. These stops are part of the club's ongoing efforts to strengthen its brand and fanbase in the African market. While details of specific matches or events in these countries are still emerging, the tour underscores Barcelona's commitment to global outreach, even in a condensed format. For fans in East and North Africa, it presents a rare opportunity to see their heroes in person.\n\nFrom a sporting perspective, the two-week training camp in England provides an ideal environment for manager Xavi Hernandez to integrate new signings and implement tactical ideas ahead of the new La Liga season. The controlled setting allows for intensive work without the distractions and fatigue of constant travel. The friendly against Birmingham will serve as a crucial test of the squad's fitness and cohesion against a physical, competitive Championship side.\n\nFor Barcelona, this pre-season is about balance. The club must prepare for a demanding campaign where they will defend their La Liga title while also navigating the Champions League. The World Cup's placement in the calendar has forced a reevaluation of summer plans across European football, and Barcelona's schedule reflects a pragmatic adaptation. The focus is on quality preparation over commercial quantity.\n\nThe announcement also highlights the evolving nature of pre-season football. While marquee matches in iconic stadiums remain popular, clubs are increasingly tailoring tours to specific strategic goals—be it market expansion, historical commemoration, or pure sporting preparation. Barcelona's 2023 tour blends all three elements, offering a unique narrative for the summer.\n\nAs the summer approaches, all eyes will be on how Xavi's squad utilizes this period. The matches in Kenya, Morocco, and Birmingham will provide early glimpses of the team's form and philosophy for the season ahead. For Birmingham City and the fans in Africa, it's a chance to be part of Barcelona's storied journey, however brief the visit may be.\n\nBased on reporting from Voetbal International.","news","Barcelona's pre-season plans feature a two-week UK training camp and a friendly vs Birmingham City, plus stops in Kenya and Morocco, a scaled-back global tour due to the World Cup.","327547090609639425","326135624887177216","Championship","0","2026-05-06T18:31:14Z","barcelona-announces-unconventional-pre-season-tour-kenya-morocco-and-a","Voetbal International","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vi.nl\u002Fnieuws\u002Fbescheiden-wereldtournee-barcelona-in-de-zomer-naar-kenia-marokko-en-birmingham","326257565195309056","Barcelona",[56,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66],"326257546258026496","326257807814823936","326222711682502656","326222712219373568","326257545968619520","326257791821942784","326222707169431552","326257539769438208",[57,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75],"Manchester City","Birmingham","England","Morocco","Arsenal","Kenya","Anderlecht","Inter","Barcelona Announces Unconventional Pre-Season Tour: Kenya, Morocco, and a Friendly Against Birmingham City",[78,118,148,180],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":79,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":80,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":81,"slug":82,"sourceName":83,"sourceURL":84,"teamId":85,"teamName":86,"teamIds":87,"teamNames":102,"title":117},"Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw to set up a U17 European Championship final against Belgium, who eliminated France earlier.","338075747069464577","2026-06-04T19:28:40Z","italy-edge-spain-on-penalties-u17-euro-final-vs-belgium","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FL-italie-rejoint-la-belgique-en-finale-de-l-euro-des-moins-de-17-ans\u002F1681874#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326257661500723200","Italy",[85,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,65],"326222711401484288","326222712936599552","326222767416414208","326255039846813696","326255041625198592","326257536296554496","326257536413995008","326257537865224192","326257539844935680","326257664680005632","326257696636407808","326222711447621632","326222711569256448","326222711653142528",[86,103,104,105,106,107,108,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,74],"Belgium","Paraguay","Lesotho","FK Partizan","Partizani","Auxerre","Paris FC","Estoril","Parma","Estonia","Azzurri","France","Brazil","Spain","Italy Edge Spain on Penalties: U17 Euro Final vs Belgium",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":119,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":120,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":121,"slug":122,"sourceName":123,"sourceURL":124,"teamId":125,"teamName":126,"teamIds":127,"teamNames":137,"title":147},"Italy U17 edged Spain 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, goalkeeper Lupo saving two spot-kicks, to book a U17 Euro final vs Belgium on June 7. Lupo also saved","338067843268481025","2026-06-04T19:13:51Z","italy-u17-beat-spain-on-penalties-set-up-final-vs-belgium","Tuttosport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tuttosport.com\u002Fnews\u002Fcalcio\u002Fitalia\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F04-149032827\u002Fl_italia_u17_batte_la_spagna_ai_rigori_e_vola_in_finale_dell_europeo_ecco_chi_affronta\u002F","326255039347691520","Fiorentina",[125,128,129,130,131,132,133,134,135,88,101,85,65,136],"326222712592666624","326222713054040064","326255039171530752","326255041851691008","326257536372051968","326257546220277760","326257554193649664","326222712143876096","326222712496197632",[126,138,139,140,141,142,143,144,145,103,116,86,74,146],"Congo DR","Haiti","Dinamo Minsk","Cherno More Varna","Metz","Chelsea","Perth Glory","Portugal","Netherlands","Italy U17 Beat Spain on Penalties, Set Up Final vs Belgium",{"awayTeamId":149,"awayTeamName":150,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":151,"homeTeamId":152,"homeTeamName":153,"id":154,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":155,"matchName":156,"publishedAt":157,"slug":158,"sourceName":159,"sourceURL":160,"teamId":161,"teamName":162,"teamIds":163,"teamNames":171,"title":179},"326255038148120576","Hibernian","Celtic hold constructive talks with Robbie Keane and plan discussions with Martin O'Neill as manager search continues; Rangers target Hampus Skoglund.","326257567044997120","Rangers","337875415949381633","327053940279480320","Rangers vs Hibernian","2026-06-04T06:36:46Z","why-celtic-talks-keane-o-neill-manager-search","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fcp9pd3l5mp2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257567011442688","Celtic",[161,152,149,164,165,65,166,167,168,169,170],"326257539333230592","326257546153168896","326255038768877568","326255044473131008","326257590021394432","326222711535702016","326222713142120448",[162,153,150,172,173,74,174,175,176,177,178],"AC Milan","West Ham","Hammarby FF","Hamrun Spartans","Toronto FC","Sweden","Canada","Why Celtic Talks Keane & O'Neill: Manager Search",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":46,"excerpt":181,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":182,"leagueId":49,"leagueName":50,"matchId":51,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":183,"slug":184,"sourceName":83,"sourceURL":185,"teamId":99,"teamName":114,"teamIds":186,"teamNames":197,"title":208},"France U17 face Belgium in the Euro U17 semi-final on Thursday 4 June at 13:30 CEST, live on L'Equipe Live foot. Les Bleuets aim for a fourth title after","337848745020362753","2026-06-04T04:50:00Z","france-u17-vs-belgium-kick-off-time-tv-channel-for-euro","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FA-quelle-heure-et-sur-quelle-chaine-voir-france-belgique\u002F1681339#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[99,88,187,188,90,189,190,191,192,193,194,97,195,196],"326257786696503296","326222707404312576","326222767449968640","326257544295092224","326257563228180480","326257565845426176","326257664877137920","326257661421031424","326257745512632320","326257600737841152",[114,103,198,199,105,200,201,202,203,204,205,112,206,207],"Les Bleuets","Charleroi","Chad","Chapecoense-sc","Groningen","Mallorca","Montenegro","Denmark","Members","Junior","France U17 vs Belgium: Kick-Off Time, TV Channel for Euro"]